Veterans Legal Services Clinic

There are approximately 250,000 veterans currently residing in Connecticut, many with acute and unique legal needs related to their military service or return to civilian life. In this clinic, established in 2010, students have represented Connecticut veterans in litigation before administrative agencies and courts, on benefits, discharge upgrade, immigration, and pardon matters. In addition, students represent local and national organizations in non-litigation matters relating to the legal needs of veterans, including regulatory and legislative reform efforts, media advocacy, strategic planning, and other matters.

Clinic students also provide advice and conduct some intake at the New Haven Vet Center, which offers a range of counseling and other services particularly to combat veterans. The clinic makes special efforts to assist vulnerable veteran populations and those least connected to existing service networks, such as women, recently returned, non-citizen, LGBT, and elderly veterans. The seminar portion is a practice-oriented examination of advocacy on behalf of veterans and of social justice lawyering generally.